WE STAGED MOODY BLUES to cross Mona Passage from Isla Saona. Located at the SE corner of Puerto Rico it isn’t considered part of the notorious Mona Passage. With the island’s crystal clear turquoise water, we anchored and dove in. 

   While treading water the event of crossing the “real” Mona Passage back in 1982 on our way to St. Thomas came to mind.  It was “notorious”ly rough with the bow slamming down, spray, the works. In the midst of my shift that dark night, I was suddenly smacked in the mug by something. Freaked I started crying and screaming. I beat my gloved fist on the four-foot round steering wheel.  Frustration over the bleak sea conditions, being completely sleep-deprived, and then assaulted, put me over the top.  

   I recall how I grabbed my crew light and searched the cockpit for the enigma. The aura of light exposed a mere five-inch long flyingfish knocked out cold. I was tempted to stomp on it. But coming to my senses,  I picked it up by it’s slimey tail and threw back where it belonged with a few more choice words.

   But how could it be that no one heard my ululations? That no one came topside to help me? Where was the dog on dog watch when I needed him? This is why I shun ear plugs. What if? What if and I didn’t hear it and . . .

It always feels like a good omen to have dolphin come up out of the sea.

Down with the Dominican Republics’ courtesy flag and up with the bright yellow Q (quarentine) flag.

It had been a long time since we’d seen the sun set on the sea. Green flash? Not yet . . .

We anchored in Bahia Boqueron and went to shore. I’m not sure about this message. Neither is the bird.

This was a Thursday afternoon. We were waiting for a taxi to take us to Mayaguez to check into Puerto Rico. By the weekend the wall would be hidden from people coming to the beach. Puerto Rico is about 7 times larger than Friday Harbor. 

In two hours we were back to Moody Blues. Whew, we missed the squall.

s/v Sea Hawk. We hope the other end of the rainbow and it’s pot of gold are landing on one of you!

(This post is dedicated to Gene’s aunt Doris. Happy 80–something!)

Also called día de los enamorados and día de los corazones. Moody Blues hopes you see many spontaneous, heartfelt smiles this Valentine’s Day and feel love and happiness for the whole year! 

(This post is dedicated to this little girl that captured my heart. Maybe one day I’ll learn her name. She is the daughter of Raoul, the manager of Marina Zar-Par in the Dominican Republic.)

NOT ONLY DOES BOCA CHICA (small mouth) fun to say, it is a fun town:

Rubio proprietor of the fabulous restaurant at Marina Zar-Par. (He’s squishing tostones.)

This is Teresa and Eleana, the chefs at the fabulous restaurant at Marina Zar-Par. 

Gene got a kick out of this: the grout is out. Lots of work he mused.

Buns . . .

No rules like USA rules in the DR.

Rowing is a way of life in the DR.

Needle fish.